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SIT-A-LONG with Taigu: FUKANZAZENGI 5

Furthermore, the whole body far transcends dust and dirt: who could believe in the means of sweeping and polishing? In general, we never depart from the place where we should be: of what use, then, are the tiptoes of training?

This section refers to the legendary contest in the Platform Sutra between the talented and gifted student and the ignorant and inspired kitchen boy , Huineng, who will ultimately receive the transmission and robe.

The knowledgeable student writes...

The body is a Bodhi [Perfect Wisdom] tree,
the mind a standing mirror bright.
At all times polish it diligently,
and let no dust alight.

and Huineng answers:

Bodhi is no tree,
nor is the mind a standing mirror bright.
Since all is originally empty,
where does the dust alight?

Of course, both poems are valid. They complement each other, offering both sides of the same coin.